X-ray film holder



Aug. 19, 1941- w. L. MEI-DAME 2,253,282

X-RAY FI LM HOLDER Filed April 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 In ventor I W/k/ml. we afia/a V1.6.

A iforne y Aug. 19, 1941. w MEDAL: 2,253,128?v I X-RAY FILM HOLDER Filed April 15, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Atiurney Patented Aug. 19, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFlCE 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in trays or holders for holding dental X-ray films while the same are being developed and has for its primary object to provide a tray construction having means for securing the edges of the film in a separated position while the tray is immersed in the developing or fixing solution.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a dental X-ray film holder of this character adapted for interfitting engagement in a stacked or nested position so that the trays may be mounted one upon the other for simultaneously developing a number of the films.

A still further object is to provide an article of this character of simple and practical construction, which is eificient and reliable in performance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevational view.

Figure 2 is a top plan view.

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the holder illustrating a modified form of retaining member for the upper edge of the film to prevent displacement thereof should the tray become inverted or upset,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view thereof,

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, and

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a type of dental film adapted for positioning in the holder.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the numeral 5 designates the tray generally which is preferably constructed of sheet metal or other lightweight material and bent into substantially U-form to provide a bottom section B and end sections 1. The bottom is provided with an opening 8 extending longitudinally of the bottom and the edges of the opening are turned upwardly as shown at 9 and provided with a notched upper edge l0 and within which the edges of the dental film II are positioned to support the film in an upright spaced relation with respect to each other.

The ends 1 are provided with upstanding relatively narrow extensions l2, the ends I at each side of the extension I 2 being formed with shoulders l3 having upwardly and outwardly inclined tongues l4 providing anchoring means for the eyes l5 formed on the end of expansible coil springs l6 which are stretched longitudinally of the holder in spaced relation above the bottom 6. The convolutions 0f the springs are adapted to engage the side edges of the film II to assist in maintaining the film in spaced parallel position as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

In order to prevent displacement of the film, should the holder be inverted, the side edges of the extensions I2 are formed with notches ll within which is seated a continuous rubber band I8 which extends longitudinally of the holder immediately above the upper edges of the film l l.

A modified form of retaining means is provided for the upper edges of the film, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings and comprises the formation of inwardly and downwardly extending notches I9 in the side edges of the extensions and within which a cord or other flexible member 20 is inserted. The ends of the cord may be knotted as shown at 2|, or the cord may be wedged in the slotted opening l9 to secure the cord in position. The inner surfaces of the extension I2, adjacent their upper ends, are provided with inwardly pressed knobs 22 adapted for seating in openings 23 formed adjacent the lower edge of the ends I, of adjacent holders in order to permit the holders to be positioned in stacked relation as shown by the dotted lines in Figure l, the knobs and openings providing cooperating interlocking means between the holders to secure the same in engagement while the holders are being immersed in the developing and fixing solutions.

It is believed the details of construction, advantages and manner of use of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing without further detailed explanation.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. A film holder comprising an open tray having a bottom and end walls, means carried by the tray for supporting film in spaced relation therein, said end walls of a-pair of the trays being adapted for nesting engagement and having openings adjacent the bottom thereof and protuberances on the inside of the walls adjacent the top thereof for insertion in the openings of the nested trays for retaining the trays in nested position.

2. A film holder comp-rising an open tray including a bottom and end walls, said end walls having upstanding tongues, inwardly projecting protuberances on the upper portions of the tongues and said end walls having openings adin the tray and flexible means extending across jacent their bottom edges adapted to receive the the top of the film to prevent accidental removal protuberances of a lower tray when the trays are of the film from the tray, said flexible means arranged in nested relation, flexible means formcooperating to retain the end Walls against exing side walls for the tray and adapted to engage 5 panding movement. and retain the film in spaced upright position WILLIAM L. MEDALIE. 

